The Roundups

New Releases:

Nettspend — Virginia Creeper
Brat Star — Southern Ontario Gothic
Eilish Constance — “Shut up!”
Dean Blunt + F1LTHY — “true crime freestyle”
bleood — KILL YOUR IDOLS

Art Taipei and Art Toronto run this weekend
Jim Joe and Lewey’s Letters to the Editor at Market Gallery in New York through November 15
Alexandre de Betak’s TRUSS LIGHT SCULPTURES 01 at Salon 94 Design in New York opening on November 5
Yoshitomo Nara’s new exhibit at David Zwirner in New York opening on November 5
Ryu Tanaka’s DOLLS III: A Quiet Prayer Dwelling in the Eyes book launch exhibition at Vanilla Gallery in Tokyo from October 28 to November 8
Katayama Mari’s Mori Art Award 2026 Grand Prize Exhibition at Mori Art Museum in Tokyo from October 31 to March 28

Martina Tiefenthaler, former Balenciaga artistic director, is rumored to have been named the new creative director of Acne Studios
Grotesque opens a second store in LA
Eckhaus Latta opens a new NYC flagship store
Prada and John Pomeroy dropped a meticulously hand-drawn Holiday 2026 campaign
Ralph Lauren’s PoloFest took place this past week in Tokyo and featured an immersive archive exhibition and vintage marketplace series

Wikipedia facts tote bag by Kleinian
Oops, a black tea by Margiela and Gentle Monster
Molly Santana’s custom gun-trumpet microphone holder by Holden
Phoebe Cutler’s animal pendants dropping next Tuesday
Daft Punk’s Alive 2007 LEGO set

This Week’s Headlines

China is mad at Kylian Mbappé over a Mao meme

Kylian Mbappé: French superstar's 'dictator Mao' meme ignites fury in China

In an interview, when asked what his favorite meme of himself is, Kylian Mbappé described one of his face juxtaposed on Mao Zedong’s body, whom he referred to as a “Chinese dictator.” The meme belongs to a long-running joke among soccer fans, who photoshop Mbappé’s face onto military and political leaders as a nod to his nickname, the dictator. The backlash was swift, with prominent Chinese brands ending their multimillion dollar deals with him. China Media Group also suspended broadcasts of games featuring him. Mbappé has since apologized for the hurt his comments caused.

We’re getting male birth control

Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have received a multimillion-dollar federal grant to test a male birth control pill in humans. Taken about 30 minutes before sex, the pill would temporarily stop sperm from swimming, giving six to eight hours of protection before fertility returns to normal. It works by blocking an enzyme sperm need to move.

IShowSpeed and Frost Children made a dubstep song in our office

Frost Children Made Some Dubstep With IShowSpeed: Watch

In an unexpected crossover this week, IShowSpeed and Frost Children linked up at the Welcome office in New York to freestyle over a dubstep beat. Speed is no stranger to the electronic scene: he made a highly underrated experimental Brazilian funk EP during a trip to Brazil in 2024, as well as dropped a Jersey club track “F.U.C.,” in 2022, produced by legendary underground producer TwerkNation28.

Bleach finally ended after 22 years

Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Reveals New Key Visual & Trailer Ahead Of Fall Release

Bleach, one of anime’s “Big Three” alongside One Piece and Naruto, has finally ended after 22 years. Many fans were disappointed by how the original manga wrapped up in 2016, but the anime’s adaptation of the final arc, Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, has been overwhelmingly well received.

Instagram is now doing long form video

Instagram Now Allows New 90-Minute Longform Video Uploads | Hypebeast

Instagram is testing “Features,” a horizontal video format for long-form creators, with uploads up to 90 minutes. Clips posted as Reels will be able to link back to the full video. It’s not the platform’s first try. IGTV (a separate app) launched in 2018 and shut down in 2022. Online, many are asking whether Instagram will pay creators like YouTube does, but monetization plans haven’t been announced.

Defense startup is making genetically enhanced military dogs

Warhound To Engineer Genetically Modified Military Dogs | iHeart

Colossal Biosciences, the company behind efforts to bring back the woolly mammoth, has launched Warhound, a $200 million startup that plans to gene-edit and clone elite military dogs, with the first puppies due in early 2027. Defense company Anduril will outfit the dogs with gear, including headsets that let handlers see what the dogs see.

Headline curation and words by Mikail Haroon (@mvkail)

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Exciting opportunities, employment and otherwise

Guggenheim — CHANEL Culture Fund Curatorial Fellowship (New York, NY / Venice, Italy)

One-year fellowship beginning in January 2027, split between nine months at the Guggenheim in New York and three months at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice. Responsibilities include collection research, writing gallery and digital content, supporting installations, and leading tours. Ideal candidate is a master’s or PhD candidate in art history with a focus on early or mid-20th-century art and is fluent in English and Italian.
Apply

Dior — Men’s Sportswear Studio Assistant Intern (Paris, France)

Six-month internship beginning in March 2027, assisting with the design of men’s sportswear pieces through sketching, rendering, technical drawings, and 3D mock-up follow-up. Ideal candidate is pursuing a BA or MA in fashion design, is highly organized, and is strong in Photoshop and Illustrator; Italian is a plus.
Apply

FUSE — Marketing Manager (London, UK)

Full-time hybrid role leading marketing campaigns across events and label releases for the London event brand and record label. Ideal candidate has 3–5+ years of music or nightlife marketing experience and a deep understanding of electronic music culture.
Apply

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